It had been three days since the battle, at least, Gerard thought that was how much time had passed, he couldn't be sure though. Everything was blurring together into a haze of pain, and healing sessions, and slight moments of panic during which Frank's condition would worsen before eventually stabilizing again.

Gerard had hardly slept, or done anything really besides watch over Frank since their return to Heaven. They had been rushed to the medical ward as soon as they arrived, the healers who still had some strength left following them so they could use their magic on Frank, but their attempts had been relatively unsuccessfully as well.

Frank hadn't reacted as negatively as he did when Billie had tried healing him, he hadn't awoken at least, or cried out in pain, but he wasn't mending properly either. His smaller wounds seemed to respond to the holy fire, and his hair continued to grow back with each session he underwent, but the vicious burns littering his arms and torso remained every time, and his injuries were beginning to take a toll on him, leaving him unconscious most days with very brief periods of lucidity in between.

Gerard had finally given in to his friend's demands to take care of his wounds as well, subjecting himself to the agony of holy fire only after Frank was sleeping soundly with Mikey keeping an eye on him the entire time. Gerard had ended up passing out just like he knew he would, and when he woke up to find that his burns had not fully healed either, he wished he had never agreed to put himself through the entire process in the first place.

Billie Joe was confounded by the oddity of their injuries, spending all of his time researching it once he had recovered from the exhaustion that came with using so much magic on Frank, but he unearthed no answers in his books. He told Gerard that he assumed his original hypothesis was correct, and either the wounds created by the Leviathan's blood were resistant to angel healing, or the prophecy was twisting events to meet its demand for a sacrifice.

Whatever the case might be, everyone was at a loss for what to do, and really, there wasn't anything for it but to wait and hope for the best, which wasn't good enough for Gerard. He refused to leave Frank's fate up to chance, but he didn't know how to save him, so he continued his constant vigil by his bedside, praying harder than he ever had before, desperation staining his mental pleas with shades of garish red and blue matching his need and his despair.

Gerard felt like he was dying every time Frank whimpered softly in his sleep, his mangled hands stretching out for some form of comfort that Gerard was too scared to give him in fear of exacerbating his pain. Seeing Frank in such a state was killing Gerard, and once Frank began to run a high fever that left him weaker than before, Gerard lost all control of his emotions, breaking down in sobs even though the action hurt his damaged chest.

Dallon had just left Gerard alone with Frank once again after doing everything he could to make Frank comfortable, telling Gerard to call for him if his condition worsened, which it would eventually, Gerard knew that now, even though he was loath to accept that fact, but it was becoming impossible to keep his faith intact when he could feel Frank slipping away from him with every passing moment.

And even if Frank did somehow survive, Gerard didn't want it to be like this. Frank was horribly scarred, his face twisted and blackened, his eye on his left side carrying a faint sheen the few times it opened which was a sign of blindness, and although Gerard didn't give a shit what Frank looked like, he knew Frank would hate his limitations, especially since his wings were all but ruined, his once beautiful feathers half gone while the rest had seared away to small nubs that wouldn't be capable of flight.

These thoughts only made Gerard cry even harder, the hopelessness of their situation hitting him full force as he curled around Frank's still frame, trying his best not to disturb his husband in the process. Gerard was aware that they had done a great thing by defeating the Leviathan, but the price they were paying was too high, and a part of Gerard wished that Brendon had never come to Frank, even though they would have mostly likely perished either way.

The sound of a door opening filtered through the heavy rush of blood pounding in Gerard's ears, but he didn't have the strength to lift his head, even when soft footsteps began to make their way closer to his stationary position. It was probably just Mikey coming to check up on him, or maybe Brendon, they were both in here almost as often as Gerard was, and they had witnessed him in his weakest moments already, so he wasn't going to stop his tears because they were there - hell, he couldn't even if he wanted to.

"He is supposed to die you know," a crystalline voice that was most definitely not Mikey's or Brendon's filled the air. "In fact, I'm surprised he isn't dead already."

Gerard trained his watery eyes upward, taking in a slender man with curly brown hair and a sad smile staring down at him. Gerard wasn't sure how he knew, but he was certain that this was God, maybe because of the sudden welling of awe mixed with fear that erupted in his chest that he had only experienced once before when he was in their presence.

"What...how are you here? Gerard stammered nervously, confused by their sudden appearance since he had inquired about asking God for their help before, but Billie Joe had explained that they were still cocooned in a state of unconsciousness that would not end until the prophecy was complete, lending more credence to the theory stating that Frank was indeed intended to die all along, but Gerard wasn't going to question this fortunate turn of events.

"It is what I foresaw when I originally shared my vision with Joshua." God's words forced Gerard to stop thinking and focus on the situation at hand, doing his best to ignore the surge of hope that was quickly spreading across his entire body, because he couldn't bear to be disappointed again. "Frank's willingness to sacrifice himself would allow him to defeat the Leviathan, and he would be granted a peaceful rest for his deeds, but he's always been stubborn, even so close to death as he is."

"I...if that's true, then I don't want to live without him," Gerard murmured quietly, a fresh round of tears stinging at his eyes that were already raw from how much he had been crying. "I know I shouldn't ask this, but is there any way you can make it so I pass when he does, I can't stay here alone, and maybe we will find each other again in the final death." Gerard was tempted to beg for God to fix things, to plead with him to mend Frank's wounds instead, but he couldn't find the courage to be so bold, and he doubted God would intervene either way.

"I admire your devotion to your husband, but I think I have a solution that will be much more favorable to the both of you."

"Does that mean you can heal him?" Gerard gasped, his lungs failing to function as he sat up carefully, glancing back down at Frank excitedly before returning his gaze to God, all plans of maintaining his composure evaporating from one second to the next.

"Not exactly..." God paused, a conflicted look passing over their face so briefly that Gerard almost missed it entirely, "just so you are aware, I am not supposed to be doing this, but in my opinion, you and Frank have sacrificed more than enough in my service. Your death at the hands of Lucifer could have been prevented, not to mention you gave up your lives as humans with barely a second thought even knowing what the consequences could be. I have not forgotten those brave deeds, and although the prophecy is demanding Frank's death, I do not think it is necessary."

"I don't understand," Gerard admitted meekly, his hands twisting together in his lap as he waited for some clarification, not wanting to come off as rude by spouting the thousands of questions he had poised on the tip of his tongue.

"In simple terms, I am going to twist the preordained events that Joshua spoke of. This is not always possible, but thanks to Frank's strength, enough time has passed that my powers are beginning to return, which means I can provide you with an escape that was otherwise unavailable."

"Like before when you made us human?" Gerard asked, his sentence emerging in a choked fashion when he considered the possibility of returning to his happy existence with Frank that they had maintained for fifteen years previously.

"That would not work in this case, but do not despair," God reassured Gerard, sitting down on the edge of the mattress gracefully before continuing. "The prophecy will not allow Frank to remain in this world, that is the only way peace will be granted, and technically, this garrison is still a part of Earth since we interact with its occupants on a daily basis, but there is one place that is entirely separate from humanity, and that is Heaven itself, the plane where souls ascended to when they decline the option of being an angel."

"So what you're saying is you can send Frank to Heaven, so it's as if he's dying but without being subjected to the final death?"

"You are very close, but Frank will still be alive and in his angel form. I know this is all a bit confusing, but think of it as more of a rise in rank. He will become a guardian of souls which allows him access to the true Heaven, and I can send you as well." God chuckled under their breath when Gerard gasped aloud, a soft sob composed of happiness instead of grief escaping his lips before he could bite it back. "I do not share this information freely, but there is a very small number of angels that are stationed in this level of Heaven. Their purpose is to watch over the souls there and to make sure that no demon ever attempts to reach them, but that has never happened before, so it is a job filled with very little hardships or dangers."

"And he'll be healed?" Gerard dared to ask, knowing that no matter how lofty of a position he was granted, Frank would be miserable in his current condition.

"He will," God nodded in acquiescence. "There is no injury or pain in Heaven, it is literally a perfect world, which is why only the most holy of angels are allowed to set foot there, and Frank has more than earned that right."

"And me...I'm not holy, or an angel for that matter," Gerard stammered, his voice trailing off weakly at the end of his statement. He didn't want to appear ungrateful or stupid, but he was confused on how he was going to be able to join Frank when he was still technically a creature of Hell.

"Oh Gerard," God laughed lightly, the sound resonating inside of Gerard, filling him with a sense of ease that he hadn't felt in ages, the foreign sensation inundating his bloodstream until Gerard found himself smiling giddily in response, "I will make you an angel as well of course. Your race is something I should have rectified the second you came back, and if the prophecy had not demanded a demon and angel pairing, I would have. You are one of us now my child, and after everything you have done, I can think of no one more deserving of some peace."

"I can't believe it, I - thank you," Gerard whispered, all of the remaining tension in his body draining out of him like water through a sieve. "I can never repay you for this."

"You already have," God replied, their eyes twinkling brightly as they turned their attention to Frank's still form. "This must be done quickly though. I am not sure how much longer my powers will stay intact, and Frank is fading, so he must ascend before it is too late."

"Does this mean I won't be able to see my brother again?" Gerard cursed himself for voicing his question, knowing how ungrateful he was coming off, but he had to receive an answer so he could say goodbye to Mikey if they were about to be separated once again.

"I think I can make an exception and allow your friends and family visitation to Heaven. I often have scouts run messages to the angels there, and I could easily add them on to the rotation list."

"Thank you," Gerard repeated, running out of words to express how grateful he really was, but he hoped that his paltry attempt would be enough to convey how much this meant to him.

"Sit back a bit," God commanded after moving so they were standing over Frank, their slender fingers brushing away the brittle strands of hair that hung over his forehead lankily. "I will send Frank up first, and after that we will begin your transformation."

Gerard nodded wordlessly in response, tucking his knees against his chest as he avidly watched God trail their hands down the length of Frank's body, their lips moving in an almost silent chant the entire time.

Gerard had to bite his lip to stop himself from gasping aloud when Frank started to glow, his skin shining with an internal light that began at his chest and rapidly spread across his limbs. As the radiance continued to grow, Gerard swore he saw Frank's wounds disappearing, but it was hard to tell through the glare that eventually forced Gerard to squeeze his lids tightly shut.

A sudden rush of air kicked up around them, the wind spinning across the room with a strength that pushed Gerard back against the nearby wall, his head hitting it roughly before the force faded away as quickly as it had come. When Gerard's eyes cracked open, he saw that Frank was gone, only the indent on his pillow and the blood stained sheets attesting to the fact that he had been there at all.

"He has arrived safe and sound," God spoke after a few tense second of silence, "and now it is your turn."

Gerard scooted to the end of the bed when God beckoned him closer, a soft shiver erupting across his skin when God placed the pads of their index and middle finger against his forehead firmly.

Gerard had every intention of spouting off a final thank you while he still could, but his tongue was heavy and thick in his mouth, and he found himself rendered speechless as God began to whisper to themselves once more. Gerard trembled violently when he felt a jolt of energy travel from the point of contact he shared with God down to his spine, the energy wrapping around his bones, forcing his wings outward without his consent.

Gerard couldn't turn his head, but he knew without looking that his pinions were no longer the skeletal ones he had sported only moments ago. He was changing into an angel, just like he had always wanted, and that gift, coupled with the fact that he would be able to live out the rest of his life with Frank had a few tears spilling down his cheeks, his emotions going haywire as God completed his transformation.

"You are now an angel in full instead of just in name," God raised their voice briefly, pressing their palm against Gerard's cheek before dragging it down to his chest. "This is the end of the trials life has put you through, and it brings me great joy to be the one to grant you an eternity of peace."

Before Gerard could acclimate himself to the changes his body had gone through, another burst of wind buffeted him, the rapidly flowing air appearing to emit from God's hand as if they were channeling the strong currents directly into his body. The phenomenon felt like it was pulling him upward although Gerard could see that his body wasn't actually moving at all when he risked a quick glance down at himself.

As the sensations increased, Gerard was forced to close his eyes, and instead of the blackness that usually accompanied that action, Gerard was met with a brilliant white light that sucked him in until he was no longer conscious of his physical form.

"Enjoy your new home my son." God's voice seemed to come from all around him, but Gerard could no longer feel the pressure of their hand on his collarbone, and he wasn't entirely sure if he was even in the same room as God anymore.

Everything grew fuzzy and bright as Gerard tried to concentrate, and eventually, he gave up, his mind going deliciously blank as he allowed himself to be taken to Heaven, and more importantly Frank.

They were getting their happy ending after all, which was something Gerard had been convinced was out of their reach. Even now it was hard to comprehend that he and Frank had forever to spend with each other, but it was real, this wasn't a dream or a false hope, leaving Gerard happier than he had ever been in his entire life.

I love when I start writing with the intention of getting a few paragraphs done before bed and then I end up finishing an entire chapter instead.

You can stop threatening to kill me now although the reactions to the last few chapters have been very amusing.

So this is it guys, just the epilogue to go which I'm going to try and have up by Monday at the latest.

Votes and comments would be a lovely thing to wake up to since I'm going to bed the second I finish editing this.

Chapter dedicated to avetimelow

I'm a pain in women's clothes

xo starr